Could there be a more beautiful and defiant gesture of gay pride than this couple showing their instant emotional and physical bond with baby Milo?
Lindsay Foster, a Canadian photographer, caught the heartfelt moment that new dads BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson held their baby, Milo, for the first time.
“Words can not tell you how wonderful it was to witness this amazing moment in time,” Lindsay wrote on her Facebook page.
“But I am VERY hopeful that these images can make you feel the deep LOVE and admiration that everyone felt for this surrogate mom and the baby’s new parents. These Daddies will most certainly be two amazing parents.
“I look at these pictures and I immediately tear up.”
Milo was born on June 27, 2014 via a surrogate mother, who didn’t use her own eggs and was unrelated to either BJ or Frankie.
“She was very happy to have given this gift,” says Lindsay. “She, her husband and two children are all doing great.”
BJ Barone and Frankie Nelson had their tops off when they first met their son, as it is believed skin-to-skin contact aids the bonding process between a child and their parent.
Throughout the labor, which she claims lasted “hours,” Lindsay was in the delivery room with BJ, Frankie, the surrogate mother, the surrogate’s husband, and two midwives. She feels like she got to know them all well.
Lindsay uploaded the pictures on her Facebook page, where they have already received more than 38,000 likes and 6,000 shares.
“BJ and I want to thank you for this great present you have given us,” the overjoyed parents wrote on the pictures. We are very grateful to you for capturing the most incredible event of our lives.
In response to the emotional response the photos have received, BJ and Frankie shared the following message via Lindsay’s Facebook page:
“Thank you to everyone out there who has taken the time to like, comment and share our picture! This was truly an incredible moment in our lives that will be captured forever by the lovely Lindsay Foster Photography.
“We are so lucky that we have a beautiful, healthy baby boy! All comments posted are respected, although we may not agree with the negative ones, the positive ones far outweigh the negative.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Pure love and acceptance are present at this time. Milo will grow up knowing many different sorts of families and accepting everyone since he is surrounded by unwavering love (intolerant people included).
“Milo was born during World Pride. This picture represents everything Pride is about. Love has no colour nor gender. Love is unconditional. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts! xxoo.”
